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Minolta System Guide Reference guide
Reference guide for Minolta System Guide. 67 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta System Guide
- Document type
- Reference guide
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 67
- File size
- 13.2 MB
- Category
- Lenses & filters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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The Minolta SLR System of Creative SLR cameras. Encompassed are interchangeable Minolta/Celtic and Rokkor-X lenses, includingPhotography meter-coupled zoom-type, from 7.5mm flsheye
to 160omm extreme telephoto plus the full
range of accessories and attachments shown on
the facing page. Most of these are described in
th is booklet.
Now that you own a Minolta SLR camera,
Minolta makes a really complete 35mm photo- you own it to yourself to fit it with genuine
graphic system so that you can be a really Minolta accessories and particularly with
complete photographer. Now that you own one Minolta interchangeable lenses that match it in
of the famous Minolta SLR cameras, you have quality. These lenses and accessories are made
the nucleus of the world's finest system of by Minolta expressly for your SLR. To assure
35mm photography. Your potential is practical- best results, be sure you get these genuine
ly unlimited. products; they are the only ones that will give
Judged by any standards of photographic you maximum perf ormance every time.
excellence, Minolta SLR cameras are thorough- The object of the Minolta SLR system is to
ly professional instruments of uncompromising give every photographer, no matter what his
quality. With their versatile complement of skill, a creative choice in all areas of photo-
specially designed Minolta lenses and many graphy. Your Minolta dealer can demonstrate
precision Minolta accessories, they are capable the full SLR camera, lens, and accessory line
of mastering virtually any photographic situa- and help you choose the equipment that best
tion imaginable. suits your needs. See him for technical help,
Minolta makes more than 150 lenses, acces- too. Your adventures in creative photography
sories, and attachments for use with Minolta may very well begin in his store.View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
Venmo @mike-butkus-camera Ph. 2083 PayPal Name Lynn@butkus.org www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkusView original page 4
Page 5 · Read text
How Minolta Makes a Lens
Before a Minolta lens is mou nted on a
Minolta camera, it passes through a complex
series of manufacturing steps performed to the
highest standards in the camera industry. Each
Minolta lens, in fact, is the end result of a long
series of computations and tests aimed at
eliminating the various aberrations that inter-
fere with theoretically perfect lens perform-
ance. What kinds of glass should be used? What
should the curvature and diameter of lens
elements be? How should they be positioned?
Minolta lens designers, aided by Minolta's own
electronic computer, investigate and decide on
these and many other problems long before the
Minolta is one of only three camera companies in actual making of a lens.
Japan and one of a very few in the world that
make their own optical glass and lenses. This The Basic Ingredients
little-known fact becomes very important when The "recipe" of glass-making ingredients varies
you consider that only in this way can a camera with the type of glass to be made. Among the
company ensure the precise optical and mecha- materials often used are silica, sodium carbon-
nical design properties so vital to advanced ate, alumina, barium, and lead oxide. Among
photography. many other ingredients that may be added toView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
www.butkus.us obtain special characteristics for quality the disk-shaped lens blanks, which are then Minolta lenses are thorium, zirconium, and further rough-ground with abrasive to approxi- rare-earth elements such as lanthanum. mate curuature. The roughground lens ele- The measured materials are melted and stirred in crucibles (platinum-lined ones for high-index glasses) at temperatures in the neigh- borhood of 1500"C for many hours, then gradually cooled over a period of days. The congealed glass is broken into easily-handled fragments which are subjected to rigid inspec- tions for bubbles, striae, and other defects, and imperfect pieces or parts are discarded. The perfect lumps are split into weight-sized pieces, which are tumbled, heat-softened, and hydrauli- cally pressed into blanks. From one to two further weeks of fine annealing processing relieves internal stresses and adjusts refractive index. Grinding, Polishing, and Achromatic Coating Diamond grinders are used for initial shaping ofView original page 6
Page 7 · Read text
ments then pass through a series of mechanized colors-better than any other lenses on the abrasive and rough polishers with continual market. We are sure you'll agree. curvature gauging to produce the final high- precision finish. Optical centering and assembly in special dust- and temperature-controlled faci- lities precede f inal rigid adjustment and testing. Not satisfied with conventional magnesium- f luoride singleJayer lens coating, Minolta nearly 20 years ago pioneered in originating special "Achromatic Coating" with a double layer having special ingredients for higher light trans- mission and improved color with Rokkor-X lenses. This exclusive process has been conti- nually developed since then incorporating the many technological strides made in the f ield. lt now involves up to several layers per surface of the most advanced ingredients deposited by latest techniques in the exact combination and microscopic thicknesses to achieve the effect required. As a result, Rokkor-X lenses give less flare, better image contrast, and rich, trueView original page 7
Page 9 · Read text
Focal Length, Lens "Speed,"
and Angle of View
The focal length of a lens is the distance from a
calculated point on the lens axis (usual ly at or
near the lens diaphragm for medium focal
lengths) to the film plane when the lens is
focused at infinity.
Dividing the focal length by the diameter of
the diaphragm aperture yields the f-number at
the lens opening. At any constant focal length,View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
www.butkus.us the f-number thus becomes smaller as the Cleaning and Storage of Lenses aperture diameter becomes larger, but the volume of light passed by the lens increases. At usual apertures, each f-number setting in the series allows transmission of twice the light volume of the next numerically smaller one and half that of the next numerically larger one. For example, when you change the lens setting from f/5.6 to tl4,light passing through the lens is doubled. Changing the setting from f/5.6 to f/8, on the other hand, cuts light transmitted in half. One such doubling or halving is one full f-stop. The "speed" of a lens is indicated by its maximum aperture: The larger this lens opening lf a lens becomes dusty or soiled, loose matter (i.e., the smaller the f-number), the "faster" the may be whisked off with a bellows lens brush lens. An f/1 .4 lens is considered one stop faster and the glass surface wiped gently with a soft, than, or twice as fast as, an f 12. clean cloth. Angle of view is a measurement in degrees Lenses should be stored away from heat, of the amount of a scene included across the high humidity, and harmful chemicals and diagonal of the frame covered by the lens at a vapors. Always keep lenses capped in their cases given distance. As focal length decreases, angle when they are not in use. of view generally increases: Thus, a 50mm When attaching or removing a lens from the standard lens has an angle of view approxi- camera body, be careful not to touch the glass mately double that of a 100mm telephoto. su rfaces.View original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
Minolta/Celtic and Rokkor-X Lenses 28mm f 12.8 MD Minolta/Celtic
Construction: 7 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view: 75o
Min. focus distance: O,3m (1 ft,)
Filter thread diameter: 49mm
Diaphragm: Auto preset t/2.8-t/22 As the owner of Minolta SLR, you may
choose your lenses from two distinct families of
genuine Minolta optics: The Minolta/Celtic line,
and the incomparable Rokkor-X series.
Minolta/Celtic lenses offer computer design
and traditionally fine Minolta quality at popu-
lar prices. Minolta/Celtic lenses are made of the
finest optical glass in the most used wideangle
and telephoto focal lengths to suit the usual
needs of most photographers.
Rokkor-X lenses offer Minolta's exclusive
Achromatic Coating as well as the ultimate in
computer design. Their superb optical perforrn-
ance and impeccable mechanical construction
reflect the precision of the Minolta single-lens-
reflex system of phtography. The Rokkor-X
series ranges in focal length from 7.Smm
fisheye to 160omm extreme telephoto and
includes specially designed macro lenses and
zooms.View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
www.butkus.us 35mm t12.8 MD Minolta/Celtic 135mm f/3.5 MD Minolta/Celtic Construction: 5 elements in 5 groups Construction: 4 elgments in 4 groups Angle of view: 63" Angle ov view: 18o Min. focus distance: O.3m ( 1 ft.) Min. focus distance: 1.5m (5 ft.) Filter thread diameter: 49mm Filter thread diameter: 55mm Diaphragm: Auto preset f /2,A-t/22 Diaphragm: Auto preset f /3.5-t/22View original page 12
Page 13 · Read text
10 135mm f 12.8 MD Minolta/Celtic 200mm t | 4 MD Minolta/Celtic
Construction: 4 el-ements in 4 groups Construction: 5 elements in 5 groups
Angle of view: 18o Angfe of view: 12"30,
Min. focus distance: 1.5m (5 ft.) Min. focus distance: 2.5m (8 ft.)
Filter thread diameter: 55mm Filter thread diameter: 55mm
Diaphragm: Auto preset t/2.4-t/22 Diaphragm: Auto preset ll4.5-t/32View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
Rokkor-X Wideangle Lenses
These lenses have a number of interesting and
useful applications for both amateur and pro
fessional photographers. With their ability to
take in a large part of a scene at short distances,
they are especially useful when working at close
quarters. Their exaggerated perspective suits
them to use for special effects and in creative
photography. Both these characteristics of
wideangle lenses are employed to advantage in
arch itectu ral ph otography.
The short focal length of wideangle lenses
gives them considerable depth of field even at
large apertures or short distances. This inherent
extra depth of field can aid in making sharp
photos at peak action without the delay needed
for adjusting focus.
Naturally, each of these Rokkor-X wide-
angles is a meter-coupled, autodiaphragm lens
designed to permit full-aperture metering/vievr
ing and operation as normal with no need for
mirror lock-up.View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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7.5mm f/4MD Fisheye Rokkor-X 16mm f/2.8MD Fisheye Rokkor-X 13
Construction: 12 elements in B groups Construction: 1 1 el.ements in 8 grou ps
Angle of view: 180" Angle of view: 18O"
Focusing: Fixed at 1.2m (4ft.l Min. focus distance: O.3m ( 1 ft.)
covering O.Sm ('1 .75 fr..) to inf inity ar full aperture Filters: Built-in
Filters: Built-in Diaphragm: Auto preset f /2.a-t/22Diaphragm: Auto preset t/4-f /22View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
14 17mm t/4MD W Rokkor-X 20mm t12.8 MD W Rokkor-X
Construction: 11 elements in 9 groups Construction: 1O -elements in 9 groups Angle of view: 104- Angle of view: 94"
Min. f ocus distance: O.25m (O.8 ft. ) Min. focus distance: O.25m (O.8 ft.)
F ilter thread d iameter: 72mm Filter thread diameter: 55mm
Diaphragm: Auto preset t/4-t/22 Diaphragm: Auto preset f/2.A-f /22
www,butkus.usView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
www.butkus.us 24mm f 12.8 MD W Rokkor-X construction: 9 elements in 7 groups Angle of view: 84- Min. focus distance: O.3m (1 ft.) F ilter thread d iameter: 55mm Diaphragm: Auto preset f /2,4-t/22View original page 18
Page 19 · Read text
16 24mm t12.8 MD VFC Rokkor-X This is the world's first lens whose field of sharp focus
Construction: 9 elements in 7 groups can be varied continuouslv at will from concave through
Angle of view: 84- ftat to convex by simply moving a control ring on the
Min. focus distance: O,3m (1 ft.) barret. Thus, even if distances from center and edges of
Filter thread diameter: 55mm obiects to the fitm plane are too different to be covered
Diaphragm: Auto preset f /z.a-f /22 bV depth of f ietd (particutarly at close range and/or large
apertures), sharp photos having excellent image qualttY
can be obtained of many subiects by appropriately
curving the f ield. On the other hand, this capability can
atso be used creatively to deliberately render parts of the
subiect out o{ focus, or the lens can be used as a
conventiona! flat-field wideangle. Either way, optimum
image quatity is assured by the "f loating" f ocusing system
and Minolta Achromatic coating incorporating latest
tech n iaues.View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
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Phata a!: t,9ht |9.s t.kt:!t tutth the VFC te.{ lield
t:utr.d t. thr "tut.na".ltt,:ttta., .bove prata dt the same
'j,\''\.ir)n .)r.itrtt tp!tr;ll show\ the tesLtt af cu.vrnq n ta hpView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
18 28mm t12.8 MD W Rokkor-X 28mm tl2MD W Rokkor-X
Construction: 7 elements in 7 groups Construction: 1O elements in 9 groups
Angle of view: 750 Angle of view: 750
Min. focus distance: O.3m (1 ft.) Min. focus distance: O.3m (1 ft.)
Filter thread diameter: 49mm Filter thread diameter: 55mm
Diaphragm: Auto preset t/z,a-t/22 Diaphragm: Auto preset t/2-t/22View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
www.butkus.us 35mm t12.8 MD W Rokkor-X 35mm f/l.8 MC W Rokkor-X Construction: 5 elements in 5 groups Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups Angle of view: 63- Angle of view: 630 Min. focusdistance: O.3m (1 ft.) Min. focus distance: O.3m (1 ft.) Filter thread diameter: 49mm F ilter thread d iameter: 55mm Diapharagm: Auto preset f/2.A-f /22 Diaphragm: Auto preset t/1.4-t/16View original page 22
Page 23 · Read text
20 35mm f/2.8 Shift CA Rokkor-X Minolta's exclusive mechanism for this lens makes full-
Construction: 9 elements in 7 groups circle shift very easy without rotating the barrel. Adjust-
Angle of view: 630 ment is conveniently made visually through the finder
Min. f ocus d istance: O.3m ( 1 ft. ) without watching scales, since movement stops at the
F ilter thread diameter: 55mm range limit in any direction. Vertical. shift enables taking
Diaphragm: Auto preset t/2.4-'f /22 in more of a subject without tilting the camera (see right).
Lateral or diagonal shift is effective in avoiding intruding
foreground elements (e.9., bushes, utility poles) or un-
desirable reflections (as on paintings, mirrors) without
moving the camera, or to make panoramic exposures to
be joined later. But further, this lens incorporates
Minolta's widened versatility. Shift and VFC functions
can also be used together in a wide variety of combinations
for unigue curve-tilt effects not possible with any other
lens. This is the first of its type to have auto-diaphragm
operation, for viewing and focusing at full aperture
brigh tness.View original page 23Page 25 · Read text
22 Rokkor-X Standard Lenses 45mm f 12MD Rokkor-X
Construction: 6 el_ements in 5 groups
Angle of view: 51"
Min. focus distance: O.6m (2 ft.)
Filter thread diameter: 49mm
Diaphragm: Auto preset f /2-t/16
The MD Rokkor-X 45mm f 12 and 50mm f/1.7
and f 11.4 and f/1.2 lenses are widely known as
the f ine "normal" or "standard" lenses for
Minolta SLR cameras and are well suited for
most general photographic purposes.
All are ideal for available-light photography
indoors and for other low-illumination situa-
tions.
Light in weight and styled with "human-
engineered" waff le-pattern rubber focusing
grips, these standard lenses, are fitted with
automatic iris diaphragms and meter-coupling
lug rings. They thus provide for full-aperture
light measuring or focusing with the diaphragm
always open to maximum aperture except at
the instant of exposure.View original page 25From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
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